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37. 'I have remarked again and again that a democracy cannot manage an empire, but never1 more than now, when I see you regetting your condemnation of the Mytilenaeans. [2] Having no fear or suspicion of one another in daily life2, you deal with your allies upon the same principle,. and you do not consider that whenever you yield to them out of pity or are misled by their specious tales, you are guilty of a weakness dangerous to yourselves, and receive no thanks from them. You should remember that your empire is a despotism3 exercised over unwilling subjects, who are always conspiring against you; they do not obey in return for any kindness which you do them to your own injury, but in so far as you are their masters; they have no love of you, but they are held down by force. [3] Besides, what can be more detestable than to be perpetually changing our minds? We forget that a state in which the laws, though imperfect, are inviolable, is better off than one in which the laws are good but ineffective4. Dullness and modesty are a more useful combination than cleverness and licence; and the more simple sort generally make better citizens than the more astute. [4] For the latter desire to be thought wiser than the laws5; they want to be always getting their own way in public discussions; they think that they can nowhere have a finer opportunity of displaying their intelligence6, and their folly generally ends in the ruin of their country; whereas the others, mistrusting their own capacity, admit that the laws are wiser than themselves: they do not pretend to criticise the arguments of a great speaker; and being impartial judges, not ambitious rivals, they hit the mark. That is the spirit in which we should act; [5] not suffering ourselves to be so excited by our own cleverness in a war of wits as to advise the Athenian people contrary to our own better judgment.

1 You do not know how to manage an empire; you are foolishly kind to your allies, who do to love your; and with your quick wits are always changing your minds.

2 Cp. 1.68 init.

3 Cp. 2.63 med.

4 Cp. 6.18 fin.

5 Cp. 1.84 med.

6 Cp. 3.40 init.

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